Emmys So Black?

Sikeeeee, but the 70th annual Primetime Emmy Awards show is already set to be history in the making.

Three years ago activist April Reign shook the table when she created the legendary hashtag #OscarsSoWhite as a response to the lack of diversity of the 2015 Academy Award nominations. The following year the nominees remained white as ever which set internet on fire reviving the old hashtag. This time the message seemed to be received loud and clear.

Since then the white male dominated industry has (sluggishly) began to bridge the gap of inclusion. The academy made efforts to diversify its membership and in 2017 Moonlight beat out La La Land for best picture and became the first film with an all black cast to win an Oscar. Moonlight went on to break 11 records that night, including Barry Jenkins becoming the first African American director to win the award for best picture.

On the heels of the #oscarssowhite debacle, it seems as if The Emmys are headed in the right direction. The 2018 NBC telecast recognizes excellence in the television industry and is set to air Sept. 17 with a record breaking 30 African American actors and filmmakers nominated

Returning veterans such as Cicly Tyson, Jeffery Wright, Viola Davis, and Donald Glover will join first time Emmy nominees Issa Rae, Letitia Wright, Zazie Beats, and Brian Tyree Henry in the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles with hopes of bringing home the coveted winged golden statuette.

For the full list of nominees click here, but in the words of my girl Issa: “I’m rooting for everybody black.”